This Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation's Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) provides $463,000 to Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation (HSU Foundation) to conduct research on the origin and evolution of vertebrate biodiversity in the Marajo Island region of the Amazon rainforest. The project will employ field collections and genomic analyses of amphibians, lizards, and mammals to understand how and when these species colonized the island, and how habitat differences within the island have influenced their diversification.
The award includes a $259,734 sub-grant to Angelo State University, where a co-investigator will contribute to the field expeditions, data generation and analysis, and student mentoring. The project aims to enhance research and education infrastructure, including establishing a historical DNA lab at Cal Poly Humboldt, and create hands-on learning opportunities for underrepresented minority students. By advancing knowledge on the evolutionary history and dynamics of Amazonian biodiversity, the research seeks to inform conservation strategies in response to environmental and climate changes.
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